How to scale beyond the niche? Fitting versus transforming strategies of grassroots initiatives and their impact on sustainability transitions

The question of how to increase the impact of grassroots initiatives via their scaling from niche to regime level is a key issue in transition studies. We add to the debate by analysing how organisational identities of energy cooperatives influence their scaling strategies. For this purpose, we use an explorative, qualitative research approach, conducted in collaboration with a federation of cooperatives in Germany. We identify several different identity types for the energy cooperatives studied (Classic GIs, Intermediary, Pragmatic, Tech drivers, & Economic-socials), observing that different identity types are associated with whether cooperatives pursue fit-and-conform or stretch-and-transform pathways. The findings are positioned in relation to broader debate on niche-regime dynamics. Namely, we highlight how the heterogeneity of types implies a need for nuance when thinking about scaling pathways. Our findings challenge simplistic policy narratives that prioritize expansion and instead call for nuanced support attuned to identity, agency and socio-spatial contexts.